Calls for Australia to develop a national physical activity plan

Only 43 per cent of Australians are active enough for good health, demonstrating the need for a nationwide plan, say experts

Over 45,000 runners compete in the 40th anniversary event of Perth's City to Surf in Perth, WA on August 31, 2014.

Over 45,000 runners compete in the 40th anniversary event of Perth's City to Surf in Perth, WA on August 31, 2014. Source: AAP

Australia is ranked 94 out of 131 countries for being physically active.

And we're not one of the 37 countries which have a National Physical Activity Plan.

The results of the overview of physical activity and public health across the globe has reinforced the need for a comprehensive policy response in Australia, says the Heart Foundation.

The Global Observatory for Physical Activity (GoPA) has just unveiled the latest Physical Activity Country Cards.

The foundation's Adjunct Professor Trevor Shilton said Australia was not one of the 37 countries with a specific national plan for the promotion of physical activity or one of the 65 which include physical activity in plans for preventing non-communicable diseases.

"The need for action is all too clear, with only 43 per cent of Australian adults active enough for good health, ranking us 94th out of the 131 participating countries," he said.

"That's why the Heart Foundation along with partner organisations have been advocating strongly for a nationally co-ordinated policy response."

The overview said that 10.1 per cent of deaths in Australia are due to inactivity, while the worldwide figure is nine per cent.


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Source: AAP


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Calls for Australia to develop a national physical activity plan | SBS News